[lork]

Iask because in a normal ( meaning reasonably-tught, playing pretty good hands )game it would seem that those that decided to see the flop probably have a K, Q, or A in their hand. Of course some will play wih small pocket pairs or whatever but in many cases it makes sense that much of the "paint" in the deck has been accounted for, especially if everal people have stayed in.

So, if I need a Queen or King to make my hand, are my odds reduced or likely reduced when compared to if I need a 5 or a 7?

Thanks,
lork

[petronder]

Your odds don't change, there are still the same amount of high cards in the deck (ie 4 kings 4 queens etc etc).

The probility of someone else holding your card can be determined on a number of factors. Preflop action, flop action, style of player, style of the table etc etc.

[norshvind]

The above response regarding making a hand is technically true, but is not necessarily complete. It’s true that if the board flops 33A, and you hold a 3, the chances are relatively high that you’re the only one with a set (who the hell plays a 3?!?). However, if the flop comes AA3, and you hold an Ace, there’s a good chance that someone else holds an ace.

So, to answer your question, the chances of making your hand are not dependent upon the card magnitude, but the chances of making a unique hand are.

When I was first starting poker (about a month ago…) I had a theory that if I play low cards (connectors or broken connectors), I would end up flopping unique hands (e.g. bottom two pair), and subsequently be able to outplay 2-3 opponents whom are all sharing the same flopped high cards.

Yeah… don’t try it. Or try it, play for lots of money, and invite me to the game! With 2-3 callers, a non-top pair is functionally useless, and actually making a hand (e.g. two pair, straight) occurs far too rarely to justify this approach from a non-blind.

With that being said, if you want to piss someone off, call with 35 off and beat an AK... that’s like insta-tilt!

[ballen]

I don't let that consideration affect my play unless I am in late position in a fairly tight game at $3/$6 or bigger. If I am in late position and it is three bets to me, I am reluctant to play 910s, KJs, A8s, or some other borderline hand. I have to figure I am already dominated and it is gonna cost a lot to see the river, and draw from behind to get ahead of the domination.

At lower stakes, too many people play any pair, any two suited, any two connected, any one or two gapper to make previous action meaningful.

In a game like that follow Johnny Moss's advice and "getcha two biguns and bet 'em!!"

[razor]

No, not really. The concept that people play better cards than rags, is probably true. But you can't possibly know what people are holding, and better yet, what are the dead (folded) cards.